Araneus ventricosus Spider Deception Tactics

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Questions and Answers

Which statement best explains the evolutionary advantage for Araneus ventricosus spiders to mimic female fireflies?

It allows the spiders to conserve energy by attracting prey instead of actively hunting.
It provides a defense mechanism against predators that are also attracted to fireflies.
It reduces competition with other spider species for female firefly prey.
It increases their chances of capturing male fireflies, thus ensuring a stable food supply. (correct)

If the orb-weaver spider's web also captured a significant number of female fireflies, how might this affect the firefly population over time?

The firefly population's genetic diversity would increase due to greater competition for mates.
The firefly population would likely increase due to a surplus of available male mates.
The firefly population would remain stable as female fireflies are less crucial for reproduction.
The firefly population could experience a decline due to reduced reproductive opportunities. (correct)

How might the behavior of male fireflies change over many generations if the orb-weaver spider's mimicry becomes more effective?

Male fireflies might shift to diurnal activity patterns to avoid the nocturnal spiders.
Male fireflies might develop a resistance to the spider's venom, increasing their survival rate.
Male fireflies might evolve brighter and more frequent flashes to attract mates more effectively.
Male fireflies might evolve to recognize and avoid the spider's web, reducing their capture rate. (correct)

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the orb-weaver spider and the male fireflies?

Predation, where the spider consumes the fireflies for sustenance. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a new predator were introduced that specifically targeted orb-weaver spiders, what indirect effect might this have on the local firefly population?

The firefly population would likely increase due to decreased spider predation pressure. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Suppose environmental changes lead to a decrease in the male firefly population. What is the most likely consequence for the Araneus ventricosus spider population?

The spider population would likely decrease due to a reduced food source. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Researchers introduce a synthetic pheromone that strongly attracts male fireflies, causing them to ignore the signals of both female fireflies and the orb-weaver spiders. What is the most likely long-term effect on both populations?

The firefly population will likely increase while the spider population decreases due to reduced prey capture. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If female fireflies began emitting the same two-flash signal as males, what impact would this have on the orb-weaver spider's hunting success?

The spider's hunting success would likely decrease as it would be unable to distinguish between male and female fireflies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the researchers wrap the fireflies in a light layer of silk, as opposed to the thicker layer used for other insects?

To preserve the fireflies luminescence, using their signals to attract more prey . (A) Signup and view all the answers

What evidence supports the hypothesis that spiders manipulate fireflies' flash signals?

Fireflies emit single, female-like signals when a spider is nearby, and resume normal flashing patterns after removal and recovery. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the research, how does the spider's venom likely affect the firefly's flashing behavior?

By interfering with the delivery of oxygen, disrupting normal flashing behavior. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the control group in the experiment?

To establish a baseline for firefly behavior in the absence of spiders and manipulated signals. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why did spiders target other soft body parts of the fireflies instead of directly biting the light-emitting lantern?

Targeting other soft body parts allows the venom to spread more quickly, affecting the firefly's nervous system and flash behavior. (A) Signup and view all the answers

If the orb-weaver spider's venom primarily disrupts the firefly's oxygen supply, what other behaviors or physiological processes might also be affected?

Impaired muscle function, flight capability, and overall metabolic processes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Considering that the spiders keep male fireflies alive longer than other prey, what is the most likely evolutionary advantage of this behavior for the spider?

The continued flashing of the fireflies attracts more prey to the web, increasing the spider's hunting success. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the experimental setup, what is the most significant limitation in determining the exact mechanism by which the spider venom alters the firefly's flashing behavior?

The absence of real-time monitoring of the firefly's internal physiological processes during envenomation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Deceptive Tactics

Animals use clever tricks to survive in the wild.

"Zombie" Slaves

Some wasps control spiders to build nests.